By Joel Langton
The 830 Times
Feed the Line founders rode a Texas tsunami of goodness throughout the week, as an idea last Saturday turned into a full-blown event seven days later that ended up feeding 2,500 law enforcement officers and first responders assigned here in response to the Haitian immigrant crisis.
“My wife and I were sitting at the kitchen table last Saturday and I said we should do something for law enforcement,” said Felipe Martinez Jr., one of the event’s founders. One Facebook post later and the event was rolling.
Within days, donors had given enough money to cover all the event’s costs with people still giving. “We’re going to plan future events,” Martinez said.
Saturday’s event had the private residence on Chapman Road filled with smokers, cars and nearly 200 volunteers, after many had been cooking all night.
The event that had begun with a vision of cooking 10 or 15 briskets, kicked off Friday evening with 90 briskets, 20 pork butts, 161 pounds of sausage, 400 pounds of chicken and 300 jalapeno poppers.
There were volunteers all over Carlo and Kristi Reyes’ (who helped kickstart the event with Martinez) front lawn, garage and any back acreage that was empty was now filled with large cooking rigs.
There were drivers on hand to deliver, as well as pick-up available. Drivers would come through the
pick-up line, and be asked by a volunteer, “How many?” Answers would range from four to 100 and the team would dive into action, grabbing plates and drinks and getting the driver on his or her way.
Twenty-five Del Rio Ram football players were on hand to keep the drinks iced and helped hand them out as drivers departed, or drove through the horseshoe-shaped driveway and grabbed food.
“We are out here teaching our players life lessons,” said Roderick Taylor, Del Rio High School Rams head football coach. “One of the cornerstones of our programs is selflessness. The best way to teach selflessness is by having them give of themselves.”
“Besides, people support our team all year, we have to give back every chance we get,” Taylor said.
Another volunteer was there just to show support. “I just wanted to show support for law enforcement,” said Nichole Rodriguez, who’s son and husband are Border Patrol agents. “If you know this community, you know it supports law enforcement.”
Joe Frank Martinez, Val Verde County sheriff, said this event meant a lot to area law enforcement officers and first responders.
“This has been a brutal time for law enforcement and first responders,” Martinez said. “Many have gone through this crisis without a day off and this lets them know their efforts were recognized and appreciated.”
The writer can be reached at JoelaLangton@gmail.com .
